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Watch: 'I would cook the fries up' - Kiwis' hometown hero prepares to run out on familiar Wellington stomping ground

November 13, 2017

At age 13, Joseph Tapine worked at Westpac Stadium, this week he'll play there for the Kiwis against Fiji.

For Kiwis forward Joseph Tapine, Saturday's Rugby League World Cup quarter-final against Fiji at Wellington's Westpac Stadium will be even more special, with the young forward returning to the scene of his very first job.

Tapine, 23, was raised in Wellington, playing all of his youth rugby league there before moving to Australia to sign for the Newcastle Knights in 2013, making his NRL debut the following year.

Now plying his trade with the Canberra Raiders, Tapine will play for his country in his hometown for the first time, holding a special connection to Wellington's Westpac Stadium, where he worked as a 13 year old.

"I actually used to work there - it was my first job," Tapine said at today's media conference.

"I would cook the fries up in the back."

"I never got to play on the field, it'll be my first time this week. I'm looking forward to that."

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